After finally making some impressive headway in tearing down the old Law Enforcement Center, located off of Walton Way, it seems as though the end of the project is just in sight.
The jail tower and surrounding complex was first built in 1985 and served the community for 27 years before being shut down, according to previous reports. It should’ve lasted about 50 years.
After being decommissioned in the beginning of 2014 due to a severe mold problem caused by an overlooked leak, employees with allergies were ordered by doctors to work in a portable building outside to avoid further irritation, according to an Aug. 2 article in The Augusta Press.
Eventually the Augusta Commission voted to demolish the entire facility, after the motion to move Juvenile Court into the massive tower was denied.
The original plan for the old jail facility by Thompson Wrecking Co. was implosion in order for the site to be cleared by the end of January 2023.’
MORE: Old Augusta jail coming down piece by piece
However, in the summertime, it became obvious that canes were being utilized to tear down the facility piece by piece.
Interim Director of Central Services Ron Lampkin said the company Dykon Blasting in Tulsa, Okla., forfeited the contract after the owner’s wife died.
“The owner was grieving and gave up the contract to take some time after his wife passed,” said Lampkin.
He also said, since Thompson Building Wrecking Company Co. Inc. hired them, the city of Augusta did not lose any money due to the change in plans.
“Since Thompson was the one who hired them for the job, they absorbed any fees and losses – it did not end up costing the city more,” he said.
Lampkin said it was possible there would be an 8 to 10-week delay in construction, but the lost time could possibly be regained in later construction.
With the progress of the jail, it seems like Thompson Building Wrecking Co. Inc. is on track to finish the project by the February 2023 extended deadline.
Liz Wright is a staff writer covering education and general assignments for The Augusta Press. Reach her at liz@theaugustapress.com
